Digitalisation of Cable TV

September 16, 2013

Digitalisation of Cable TV

No such report / study has been brought to the notice of the Government. However, complaints from consumers regarding certain services in Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) areas received from time to time are forwarded to the service providers for redressal. Digitisation of Cable Television has numerous benefits for all the stakeholders of the sector including consumers. The consumers get better signal quality for all the subscribed channels and they have a lot more choice of channels and services, such as interactive value added services, triple play with broadband, movie on demand etc., to choose from. Further, they can subscribe for only those specific channels and services which they intend to watch and subscribe to, and budget their bills accordingly.

To protect the interest of consumers and to facilitate smooth implementation of Digital Addressable Cable TV Systems (DAS), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has laid down the regulatory framework for DAS. It includes interconnection regulation, Tariff order, quality of service regulation and consumer grievance redressal regulations. Adequate safeguards have been provided to the subscribers of Digital Addressable Systems in these regulations/ orders. Besides this, TRAI has notified a tariff order prescribing standard tariff package for Set Top Box (STB) to ensure availability of the STBs / Consumer Premises Equipments (CPEs) to the subscribers on reasonable terms and conditions and to provide an easy exit option, in case they want to switch services from one service provider/ platform to another for any reason.

The copies of regulations, tariff orders notified by TRAI from time to time are available on their website – www.trai.gov.in.

The above information was submitted by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in Parliament on 22nd August, 2013.